allison maxwell
London
Allison Maxwell was first introduced to the great benefits of yoga 26 years ago
while studying at university. She was pretty hyperactive, had frequent headaches
and difficulty sleeping. A friend suggested she should try yoga, so they both
joined the local College of Further Education class in Oxford. After just one
course Allison was hooked and made it her priority to get to her weekly yoga
class. Since then Allison has tried just about every type of yoga on offer and
since qualifying as a teacher some 15 years ago has developed her own style that
reflects her personality. Picture Picture Qualifications Allison's teaching
qualification is from the British Wheel of Yoga (BWYDip) where she holds a
diploma, which she completed in 2000. The British Wheel of Yoga is the UK’s
largest yoga community and is renowned for it’s 500 hour yoga teacher training
courses that are also accredited with the Yoga Alliance and take approximately
two years to complete. Following this she trained to teach yoga to mother and
babies and obtained a certificate from Cambridge Active Birth in 2002. She then
went on to train to teach yoga to children studying with the Calm for Kids
institute and completed this in 2005. As a qualified BWY yoga teacher Allison
maintains a current First Aid certificate, is fully insured and attends regular
CPD training days. The Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs Teacher Training course
(YHLB-R), is accredited as a Recognized Centre of excellence in training and
standards by The British Wheel of Yoga (the national governing body for yoga for
Sports England and Sports & Recreation Alliance UK) - view
www.yogaforbacks.co.uk. How yoga helped me - Allison's own words " During my
role as Health Clinic Manager in a busy private clinic in central London, my
health started to suffer. I often worked 12-hour days, managing staff, dealing
with clients and meeting press deadlines. The one aspect of my life I never gave
up was my regular yoga classes and I found that yoga was an escape from my busy
schedule enabling me to 'recharge my batteries' for the next week ahead. With so
many of my high flying clients suffering with addictions to alcohol and
anti-depressants, I was so glad I found yoga as my release from stress!
Following this I decided to study for a Master's degree at Southampton
University. On completion of my MSc in Public Health Nutrition I decided to
treat myslef to a yoga retreat in South India. I had no idea of the impact it
would have on my life and it was life changing in many ways. Firstly, I had been
plagued by almost daily headaches for over fifteen years, since suffering a neck
injury from a trampolining accident at school. On my return to England my
headaches has disappeared. Despite spending a fortune on other therapies over
the years it was yoga that got rid of them! Also I felt more in control, happier
and focused for the first time in my life. The positive impact yoga had on my
life inspired me to train to be a yoga teacher. The first yoga class I taught
was for Lewisham Council in London, for a group of people suffering stress and
anxiety. I was thrown in at the deep end and it was a memorable experience.
However, I was delighted at the benefits enjoyed by many members of the group.
After moving to Berkshire I then taught in a variety of venues in Marlow,
Wokingham and Reading, including Reading University (staff and students),
schools, nurseries and exclusive health clubs and spas. In 2008 we moved to
Colwall and shortly after we arrived I set up my first yoga class in my home and
now offer two classes a week and one-to-one sessions. I also teach at three
further classes in Malvern and run regular retreats at The Clover Mill Spa."
